Witch Monastery

Chapter 397: Pregnant Malena

The angel was not speaking to her in her true form but had instead disguised herself as a human woman—a tall and elegant figure, with dazzling golden hair, striking blue eyes, and full red lips. Her features were soft, yet boldly defined—a breathtaking beauty by any standard.

She wore tight black combat clothes, looking less like a holy saint and more like a seasoned fighter or even a killer, radiating cool confidence.

But Malena, faced with this beautiful woman, felt nothing but unease and dread. "You... ancestor, my lord..."

She had wanted to ask "Who are you?" but remembered the woman’s words from the night before, so she went straight to titles instead.

Sulpharlo nodded with approval. "Very good. You remember who I am, so your mind hasn’t gone completely fuzzy after all."

Malena relaxed a fraction, thoughts racing. She continued, "Ancestor, my lord called me here, is it about... the revenge Shapiro spoke of?"

Sulpharlo smiled as she watched Malena. "If I said yes, what would you do?"

Malena lowered her head, a look of shame crossing her face. "Of course I want to clear my family’s name, to see those who framed us pay for it. But I have no experience in politics, I’ve never trained for battle, and I have a child to raise. I really don’t have any strength or skills..."

She was deliberately downplaying her value, hoping her ancestor would see her as useless and let her go.

But unfortunately, from the very start, Sulpharlo never cared about her combat skills.

The angel stepped slowly into the room, moving closer. Malena’s heart thudded in terror as she instinctively shifted away, trying to keep distance.

But the bed was only so big—her efforts were pointless. Sulpharlo came right up, grasped her hand, and pressed it against her own belly, smiling. "But you can bear strong offspring, can’t you?"

Malena stared at her in horror. "You... ancestor, my lord, what do you want me to do?"

She dared not imagine—was she supposed to be forced to mate with some monstrous beast, like a lustful dragon, to produce some powerful offspring?!

The thought alone made Malena tremble uncontrollably.

"Isn’t it obvious?" Sulpharlo’s smile was oddly terrifying to Malena. "I once blessed a mortal in the material world, granting him power so that he could withstand what I had given. You inherited his bloodline. That bloodline should never be cut off."

"Malena, you’ve inherited his noble blood almost in its entirety. My power slumbers within you, and you are so healthy, so beautiful, so full of vitality—this is fate’s blessing! To waste fate’s blessing would be blasphemy!"

Malena’s eyes widened in shock. She glanced nervously down at her stomach, her ancestor’s hand still pressed there. "You mean..."

Seeing her tension, Sulpharlo suddenly laughed. "I’m just teasing. Did you think I was going to make you have babies one after another?"

Malena blinked in confusion, unsure what that even meant.

"As if! And besides, with other fathers, your perfect bloodline would be tainted." Sulpharlo said, "And efficiency—just carrying the child you have now, that man’s daughter, will take almost another ten months."

"I don’t have that kind of time, darling. What I long for is a much more efficient method!"

With that, a gentle white light glowed in her palm, spreading through Malena’s abdomen. Malena felt a soft, almost magical warmth in her belly as the energy seeped into her body.

Her mind was reeling from all the information—far too much to process at once.

Wait—am I... already carrying Priest Charles’s child?

But until today, I haven’t even had morning sickness!

Yet even as the realization dawned, a wave of sorrow swept over her.

Why do my children all have to endure such tragedy...

No. Whatever this angel is planning, I have to protect this child and let her be born safely!

"Ancestor." She forced a flattering smile. "I’m happy to serve you, but as you can see, this child has a father. Her blood might already be impure."

"I swear I’ll help with your plan wholeheartedly, but please—after this child is born, could you leave her at the monastery gates?"

She pleaded earnestly. Sulpharlo gave her a surprised look. "You really like that man, don’t you? Huh. Does he love you in return?"

Malena sneered, "No, he’s just a toy boy to me. Raising Lisa nearly killed me—if I have to take part in your great plan, I don’t want some useless burden dragging me down."

Sulpharlo just smiled. She didn’t care if that was the truth. "Alright. I promise."

Malena finally let out a shaky breath, feeling her heart settle. Sulpharlo’s hand was still on her belly, the white glow shimmering faintly.

Growing bolder, Malena mustered a look of adoration and curiosity, "Ancestor, what are you doing? How can I help?"

"I’m studying your unborn child," Sulpharlo explained. "Strictly speaking, I’m analyzing the transformation your body will undergo."

"As for you, for the next ten months, eat well, drink well, keep your body and mood healthy—that’s the best help you can offer."

That’s it?

I just get to enjoy life?

Malena’s mind spun. Even she found it hard to believe. Then Sulpharlo lifted her hand; a strange white light lingered, and it seemed she now held something in her palm.

"Wait and be patient, Malena," Sulpharlo said softly. "Soon, you’ll have dozens, maybe hundreds of daughters. Or call them your sisters..."

She smiled, but Malena had no idea what she meant. All she felt was a chill—what kind of person could have daughters and sisters at the same time?

She had no answer, and the collapse of basic logic left her terrified for her future.

...

North Harbor District.

Once the most prosperous administrative quarter of Liberl Port—especially during the zenith of the Empire of Sein—the northern harbor buzzed daily with ships bound for or returning from the continent.

The people here were the city’s first nouveau riche. Some of today’s largest, oldest Liberl families can trace their lineage back two or three generations to North Harbor District.

But with Sein’s decline, the trade-focused North Harbor District fell with it. Still, a dying camel is bigger than a horse—thanks to solid infrastructure and excellent transit, even if a shadow of its former self, life here remains comfortable.

This night, Charles, Andny, and Nymeria sat quietly on a bench outside the now-closed Sea Carnival at the district’s northern edge—waiting.

Charles lounged, eyes closed, resting; Andny, in an inky-black nun’s habit by his side, leaned gently on his arm, cheek pressed to his shoulder in a display of closeness.

Still, Kesha showed no sign of discomfort. She was too busy munching happily on two sticks of sizzling grilled squid, face smeared with oil and smile of pure delight.

Elves ordinarily preferred lighter food, their tastes leaning toward music and art, rarely concerning themselves with cuisine—in other words, total foodies’ deserts.

The Empire of Sein, on the other hand, even among humans—a race known for loving good food—was a paradise for gourmets. Just the street snacks blew the young Moon Elf away.

whew... whew...

Nymeria, mouth full, blew impatiently to cool the hot squid, then bravely bit in, promptly scalding herself. "Tss—hot!"

Charles couldn’t help but smile at her messy antics. "No need to rush—nobody’s fighting you for it."

Nymeria and Malena weren’t close, but both lived at the monastery and got along fine. When she heard Charles was searching for a clue to rescue Malena, she volunteered to help.

He hadn’t planned to bring her—but figured it might come in handy and so did not object.

"Hehe, but it’s just so good," Nymeria chuckled, a little embarrassed. She knew this was serious business, but after inhaling the aroma from the roadside stalls, she caved and bought ten sticks—six for herself, two each for Charles and Andny.

Charles didn’t hold back, and Andny—the worm-raising witch and one of the few who actually ate human food—ate neatly as well. The only one still eating was Nymeria, cheeks stuffed with squid.

Just then, a large, hulking figure in a black cloak marched toward them.

Thanks to Keen Darkvision, Andny spotted the man first. She tugged Charles’s sleeve. He squinted, then straightened, face serious. "Finish up, Nymeria. Our target’s here."

Nymeria stared at her last squid stick, torn but determined, wrapped it in oil paper and stuffed it in her bag, then stood up, trying to look imposing.

She was tall and athletic; when serious, she had real presence—ruined by the greasy corners of her mouth, making her rather comical.

Their mark, seeing someone waiting, paused and reached for his back. With a flash of fire, a massive, gruesome scythe appeared.

Charles called calmly, "Nigel Charles, sir. No need to be nervous—I just have a few questions for you."

The big man glanced over, sizing them up. Seeing only a small "flower-vase" girl with a greasy mouth and a petite nun, they hardly looked threatening.

Although Charles was famous and dangerous, seeing no backup present, the man relaxed a bit, letting his hand drift from the scythe.

Charles wondered at his tone—they had no personal grudge. He cut to the chase: "Mr. Shapiro Sulpharlo, I want to ask you something."

At the mention of that surname, Shapiro flinched. But he forced himself to act cool. "Oh? Depends if I’m in the mood."

Charles wasn’t here to spar: "These past four or five years, Malena and Lisa lived in the South Harbor District’s slums, barely surviving. Both were pale and skinny, always ill, yet Malena had to work relentlessly just to keep them afloat."

"She finally has a normal life. Why drag her into your cycle of revenge?"

That hit Shapiro’s sore spot. His bluff crumbled, but he wouldn’t give in. "Not your business. She’s family. You’re an outsider."

Charles’s eyes narrowed. "She’s a follower of the Goddess of Life and part of my monastery. I’m responsible for her safety."

Shapiro turned away. "I never wanted her involved in vengeance! She should’ve stayed at home with her kid—those blood debts are mine alone!"

He blurted his real motive, then stared at Charles: "So, are you here to lecture me on justice, oh holy savior?"

Charles shot back, "Then why was Malena taken?"

Under the dim lantern light, Shapiro’s pupils shrank; he stepped closer, voice rising sharply: "What did you say?!"

Charles hesitated, then a thought struck—did he... not know?

But Lisa said their "ancestor"—the angel—claimed the role. Wait. Maybe the "team" wasn’t as united as he thought?

A dozen tangled theories flashed through his mind, but he kept his face unreadable. "Not long after you visited Malena, an angel claiming to be your family’s ancestor attacked the monastery, wounded my nuns, and abducted Malena."

He stared hard at Shapiro, not blinking, searching for any flicker of truth. "If not for my nuns risking everything, Lisa would’ve been taken, too!"

"Shapiro, be honest. Your sister never courted trouble. Even if she tried, do you think she could provoke such a terrifying enemy?"

He hammered each word home, watching guilt and panic overwhelm Shapiro—he was clearly shaken, and deeply worried about his sister.

Charles pressed the advantage, voice thunderous: "Is this how you treat family—throwing your kin into the fire pit?!"

Shapiro recoiled another half-step, panic all over his face. Clearly, Charles had shattered his confidence—he realized that it was likely revealing Malena’s address to their ancestor that had brought this disaster.

"Our family is none of your concern!"

He snapped, suddenly furious, and stormed away: "I’ll handle my own blood. You, stay out of it!"

Charles let that half-step fall back and watched him leave. Though he tried to appear composed, Shapiro’s retreat was flustered, his silhouette hurried.

Watching him go, Charles fell into deep thought.

Well, this kid’s stubborn. Even heart full of guilt, he still acts tough.

Looks like pressure alone won’t get him to talk.

No problem. I have backup plans, too.

He glanced at Andny—she nodded, ready.

Over on his other side, Nymeria blinked, all her serious air vanishing: "Um, can I keep eating now?"

Charles broke into a laugh, waving her on. "Go ahead—no one was stopping you."

Nymeria immediately pouted. "I just didn’t want to ruin the mood! I tried to look tough for you but... ugh, now the squid’s cold and ruined!"

Charles chuckled, ruffling her silken hair like a child. "I’ll make you something good tomorrow. Deal?"

Her pout vanished, replaced by a beaming smile. "Okay! Deal!"

~~~

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